What is Domestic Violence?

To wrap words around domestic violence, to give it a definition doesn’t do it justice. But it’s necessary in order to be able to prosecute it. It’s defined in the broadest of terms in order to afford the most protection.

According to the Department of Justice domestic violence is:

“A pattern of abusive behavior in any relationship that is used by one partner to gain or maintain power and control over another intimate partner. Domestic violence can be physical, sexual, emotional, economic, or psychological actions or threats of actions that influence another person. This includes any behaviors that intimidate, manipulate, humiliate, isolate, frighten, terrorize, coerce, threaten, blame, hurt, injure, or wound someone.

Most often the spouse or partner is the target that’s why it’s often referred to as “spousal abuse.” A quarter of women will experience it in their lifetimes. Women between the ages of 20-24 are at the greatest risk but domestic violence can happen to anyone regardless of race, age, or length of relationship.”

Domestic Violence: You Are Not Alone

It can often feel like you are alone in the abuse, but sadly, this pattern of behavior is all too common. As many as 324,000 pregnant women experience intimate partner violence every year. More women are injured by domestic violence than in car accidents, muggings, and rapes combined.

It’s not you. It’s not your fault.

In the United States, every 9 seconds a woman is assaulted or beaten in a domestic violence situation.

Future Ramifications of Domestic Violence on Children

If you are wondering if you’re a victim of domestic violence, you must act. Not just for your own safety but for the healthy future of your children. Even if you don’t think your spouse or partner would harm your children, boys raised in a home where domestic violence is occurring are 2x as likely to abuse their own partners and children when they become men.

Early exposure to violent patterns of behavior predisposes your future man to turn to violence and abuse in order to establish dominance and control.

Domestic violence is also affecting our country’s murder rate. In 60-80% of the intimate murders (ones committed by loved ones rather than strangers) that occur in the US, no matter which partner was killed, the woman was abused before the murder.

What Can You Do?

Stop wondering and speak to someone.

You may be telling yourself that it only happened that one time and it won’t happen again. Statistics will tell you otherwise. Don’t wait for that second, third, or eighth time. The Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence can arrange to have you speak to someone confidentially if you have questions.

If you are experiencing abuse in the home, don’t wonder about whether it fits the domestic violence description. Call The Law Office of Dean Tsourakis today. The consultation is free and confidential. With 26 years experience as a prosecutor for the State Attorney’s Office, Dean understands the intricacies of domestic violence cases.